JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, June 3, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the 21st ultimo is come to hand. I hope you have had good luck in launching the ship.

The circumstances of affairs in Canada, and the certainty of a large body of Hessians, &c., being hired and designed soon to attack the United Colonies, have so engrossed the attention of Congress to be prepared for them, that it is not possible to get them to attend to smaller matters. The affair of the agency lies dormant. Captain Thompson is nominated by the Marine Committee for the command of your ship, but not yet confirmed by Congress. The Generals Washington, Gates, and Mifflin, are here, to consult on the operations of the war for this year. Congress have resolved that eight regiments of Militia, to consist of seven hundred and fifty men each, be forthwith raised and sent into Canada, till the 1st of December, one to be raised in the western part of New-Hampshire, four in Massachusetts, two in Connecticut, and one in New-York. I expect twenty-five thousand men more will be ordered to be raised for the same time for the defence of the sea-coasts from New-Hampshire to Maryland, inclusive. In short, sir, this will be the trying year, and, if possible, they must be hindered from getting any foothold this season. If that can be done, I think the day will be our own, and we be forever delivered from British tyranny.

Yesterday one of the Continental vessels that were sent out for necessaries arrived here. She brought seventy-four hundred pounds of powder, and one hundred and forty-nine arms, being all she could procure; the rest of her cargo, canvass, &c., &c. She had like to have been taken by the Liverpool in this bay; but two of the small Continental vessels took her and a French schooner under their protection, and the Liverpool did not think proper to engage them. Several French vessels from the West-Indies have arrived here with molasses, coffee, linen, &c. One of them was taken by a man-of-war, who examined all the cargo, and, finding no arms or military stores, and not being willing to affront the French, ordered her forthwith to proceed for France, (where she pretended to be bound,) having previously taken out the American master and put him on board the man-of-war. At night she shifted her course, and came in here.

I shall enclose a paper containing the Virginia and North-Carolina resolves concerning independence. This Province, New-Jersey, and the Delaware Counties, will soon take up Government entirely under the people. New-York and Maryland, it is thought, will soon follow. The constitution of Government that South-Carolina has formed for themselves you have no doubt seen. Virginia, North-Carolina, and Georgia were forming theirs when the last accounts left them.

By a St. Kitts newspaper, this moment received, there is the Address of the City of London to the King on American affairs, presented to him the 22d of March; and by his answer we see he will have absolute submission or nothing. You will soon see it in the publick prints.

I am, sir, your friend and servant,

JOSIAH BARTLETT.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, June 5, 1776.

DEAR SIR: This goes by express early to-morrow morning., It is determined in Committee this evening to urge the appointment of the Captain for your ship to-morrow; there is no doubt but what Thompson will be the man; if you and he will talk with such persons as you think proper for Lieutenant and Marine officers, and let me know who will accept, I will have them commissioned. It is idle to have the commissions filled up before we know whether they will be accepted or not. You may engage the master and all warrant and petty officers that you think necessary as soon as you please. I know of no objection to the men being shipped, only the uncertainty when the guns will be ready. Just received advice that two small privateers belonging to this place have taken three Jamaicamen with very valuable cargoes—twenty-four thousand dollars in specie; the money has arrived at Egg-Harbour, but the ships are sent to the eastward. I fear they will fall into the hands of the enemy. Now is the time to pick up homeward-bound West-Indiamen. It is now twelve o’clock—high bed time. Good night. I am, &c.,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, June 10, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 27th May came duly to hand. I heartily condole with you the loss of the brave Mugford; however, we must submit to the Divine will, and rest assured that whatever is ordered by Providence is right.

I have the pleasure to tell you that Captain Thompson’s appointment is confirmed by Congress; his commission will be sent him very soon. As he is appointed, he may, with propriety, join with you in conferring with proper persons for Lieutenants and Marine officers, which I hope you will do, and let me know who will accept those commissions. I have some time ago given you my opinion of those you have mentioned. You may engage the master and other officers whenever you think it necessary. As I have before told you, it is very uncertain when you will have the guns, unless you can get them at Providence. I shall send you the blank warrants so soon as I can get them, but I imagine the old forms will undergo a revisal. Congress never were so much engaged as at this time; business presses on them exceedingly. We do not rise sometimes till six or seven o’clock. There are so many irons in the fire, I fear some of them will burn.

I congratulate you on the success you have had in building and launching the Raleigh. I proposed her being called the New-Hampshire, but could not obtain my wish; however, I think this name will do very well—the name of every martyr to liberty ought to be perpetuated; and then this name is in some measure a compliment to Virginia, who, you know, is entitled to compliments from New-England. I have done everything in my power to forward the business of this ship, but I need not tell you how heavily business goes on here.

The matter of agency I have not had an opportunity to urge with a prospect of success; it therefore remains as it did, but hope it will not be long before there will be a fair opportunity-; I shall still persist in my first proposal. The uncertainty of guns is the only reason you have not orders to ship men; but as the Committee meet this evening, I will endeavour once more to know their minds on this subject.

We have dismal accounts from Canada —five hundred men taken by the enemy, who consisted of about forty regulars, two hundred and fifty Canadians, and four hundred Indians. How so large a number as five hundred could be taken by about seven hundred is very unaccountable; but so it is, though we have no particular accounts how it happened. When the last express came off General Arnold was near the enemy, with about one thousand men. Some messages had passed between him and a Captain Forster, who commanded the party. Arnold was threatened if he attacked them they would murder all the prisoners. I am fearful his humanity got the better of his judgment. I hope I shall be able to give you a more particular account of this affair before I close this.

One of the Jamaica ships taken by the privateers from this place has arrived here; the other two have not yet been heard of. The money (viz: twenty thousand dollars) is also in this city. Congress did not rise till seven o’clock, which prevented the Committee from meeting last evening. No accounts from Canada since the above. You say you want to be here for a short time. I hope you will let me know about two or three weeks before you set out, that I may meet you half way. I hope my next will give some accounts more pleasing than is in my power at this time.

I am, respectfully, yours,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

I write to Colonel Weare by this post. I shall be much obliged if you will press an immediate answer. Colonel Bartlett sends you newspapers. I have had your carriage cleaned; it was in a dirty pickle; when I can spare time shall exercise it a little. Hope I shall have it in my power to give you some agreeable tidings in two or three weeks.

W. W.

JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, June 10, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 27th ultimo has come to hand, and am glad to hear you have had so good luck in building and launching the ship; I hope she will prove as good a